Interspecific tree named ‘Sherri&#39;s Flavor’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of interspecific tree. The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Handford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., with standard commercial fruit growing practices, such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consist of the following combination of desirable features:
         1. Tree having a vigorous, upright growth habit.   2. Tree being a regular and productive bearer of large size, yellow flesh fruit.   3. Fruit with an attractive, dark purple skin color.   4. Fruit with very good flavor and eating quality.   5. Fruit with good storage and shipping quality.

Botanical designation: Interspecific Prunus species.

Variety denomination: ‘Sherri's Flavor’.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY Field of the Invention

In the field of plant genetics, we conduct an extensive and continuingplant-breeding program including the organization and asexualreproduction of orchard trees, and of which plums, peaches, nectarines,apricots, cherries, almonds and interspecifics are exemplary. It wasagainst this background of our activities that the present variety ofinterspecific tree was originated and asexually reproduced by us in ourexperimental orchard located near Modesto, Stanislaus County, Calif.

Prior varieties

Among the existing varieties of interspecific trees, which are known tous, and mentioned herein, ‘Dapple Jack’ Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 18,178), ‘Flavor Queen’ Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,420)and the proprietary non-patented interspecific seedlings ‘63EG291’,‘45GH111’ and ‘7HC244’.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of interspecific tree was developed by usin our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif. as an openpollinated seedling selection from our proprietary non-patented seedling‘63EG291’. The seed parent (63EG291) originated as an open pollinatedseedling selection from the proprietary non-patented interspecificseedling ‘45GH111’, which originated from the cross of the proprietarynon-patented interspecific seedling ‘7HC244’ and ‘Flavor Queen’Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,420). A large number of these openpollinated seedlings were planted and maintained on their own rootsystem and under close and careful observation we recognized thedesirable tree and fruit characteristics of the present variety andselected it in 2000 for additional asexual propagation andcommercialization.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

In 2000 asexual reproduction of the new and distinct variety ofinterspecific tree was by budding to ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock(non-patented), as performed by us in our experimental orchard locatednear Modesto, Calif., and shows that reproductions run true to theoriginal tree and all characteristics of the tree and its fruit areestablished and transmitted through succeeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present new and distinct variety of interspecific tree is of largesize, vigorous, upright growth and a regular and productive bearer oflarge size, freestone fruit with an attractive dark purple skin color.The fruit is further characterized by its firm, yellow flesh, very goodflavor and eating quality with good handling and shipping ability. Incomparison to its proprietary non-patented interspecific seed parent‘63EG291’ the fruit of the new variety is approximately 42 days earlierin maturity. In comparison to the commercial variety ‘Dapple Jack’Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,178) the fruit of the new varietyhas dark purple skin compared to speckled red, is larger in size and isapproximately 8 days earlier in maturity.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimensof the foliage and fruit of the present new interspecific variety. Theillustration shows the upper and lower surface of the leaves, anexterior and sectional view of a single fruit divided in its sutureplane to show flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place.The photographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked(shipping ripe) from a 17 year old tree and the colors are as nearlytrue as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety ofinterspecific tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit, as based onobservations of 17 year old specimens grown near Modesto, Calif., withcolor in accordance with Munsell Book of Color published in 1958.

-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Large, usually pruned to 3 to 3.5 meters in height and            width for economical harvesting of fruit. Varies with            different cultural practices.        -   Vigor.—Vigorous, tree growth of 1.5 to 2 meters the first            growing season. Varies with cultural practices, soil type,            fertility and climatic conditions.        -   Form.—Upright growth, usually pruned to vase shape.        -   Branching habit.—Upright, crotch angle approximately 35°,            increases with heavy crop load.        -   Productivity.—Productive, thinning and spacing of fruit            necessary for desired market size fruit. Number of fruit set            varies with climatic conditions during blooming period.        -   Bearer.—Regular, adequate fruit set 15 consecutive years. No            alternate bearing observed.        -   Fertility.—Self-sterile, pollinator required.        -   Density.—Medium dense, usually pruned to vase shape to            increase air movement and sunlight to enhance fruit color            and health of fruit spurs.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy in all stone fruit growing areas of            California. Tree grown in USDA Hardiness Zone 9. Winter            chilling requirement approximately 800 hours at or below 45°            F.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Large. Average circumference 51.1 cm at 27.9 cm above            ground on a 17 year old tree.        -   Stocky.—Medium stocky.        -   Texture.—Medium shaggy, roughness increases with age.        -   Color.—Varies from 2.5Y 2/2 to 5Y 4/2.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average circumference 15.5 cm at 1.2 meters            above ground. Crotch angle approximately 35°, increases with            heavy crop load.        -   Surface texture.—New growth relatively smooth. Mature growth            medium rough, roughness increases with age.        -   Lenticels.—Average number 14 in a 25.8 square cm area.            Average length 5.5 mm. Average width 2.3 mm. Color varies            from 7.5YR 5/10 to 7.5YR 4/8.        -   Color.—New growth varies from 2.5GY 6/6 to 7.5YR 3/6. Mature            growth varies from 5YR 3/2 to 7.5YR 2/4, varies with age of            growth.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Medium to large. Average length 106.7 mm. Average            width 47.5 mm.        -   Form.—Oblanceolate.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Cuneate.        -   Margin.—Doubly serrate.        -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface texture.—Upper surface relatively smooth, slight            indentations over midrib and leaf veins. Lower surface            relatively smooth, except for small ridges created by midrib            and pinnate venation. Both upper and lower surfaces            glabrous.        -   Petiole.—Small to medium. Average length 12.6 mm. Average            width 1.8 mm. Longitudinally grooved. Surface — glabrous.            Color varies from 2.5GY 6/6 to 7.5R 4/8.        -   Glands.—Type — globose. Size — small to medium. Average            length 0.9 mm. Average diameter 0.5 mm. Number varies from 2            to 5, average number 4. Located primarily on the base of            leaf blade and upper portion of the petiole. Color varies            from 7.5R 4/8 to 10Y 7/6.        -   Stipules.—Average number 2. Average length 10.4 mm. Edges —            pectinate. Color 5GY 6/10.        -   Color.—Upper surface 5GY 3/6. Lower surface varies from 5GY            5/4 to 5GY 4/4. Midvein color varies from 2.5GY 8/4 to 5GY            8/4.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Size.—Medium to large. Average length 10.6 mm. Average            diameter 5.5 mm.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy with respect to California winters.        -   Density.—Very dense.        -   Form.—Conical, becoming elongated just before opening.        -   Pedicel.—Average length 10.7 mm. Average width 0.3 mm.            Surface — glabrous. Color varies from 2.5GY 7/8 to 5GY 7/8.        -   Color.—N 9.5/(white).        -   Number of buds per spur.—Average number 5, varies from 4 to            8.-   Flowers:    -   -   Blooming period.—Date of First Bloom Feb. 25, 2017. Date of            Petal Fall Mar. 7, 2017, varies slightly with climatic            conditions.        -   Size.—Medium to large. Average height 12.4 mm. Average            diameter 22.6 mm.        -   Petals.—Normally 5, alternately arranged to sepals. Size —            medium to large. Average length 13.1 mm. Average width            8.2 mm. Form — elliptical. Arrangement — free. Petal apex —            rounded. Petal base — truncate. Margin — sinuate. Color N            9.5/(white). Both upper and lower surfaces glabrous.        -   Sepals.—Normally 5, alternately arranged to petals. Size —            small. Average length 3.5 mm. Average width 2.6 mm. Shape —            triangular. Apex — triangular. Margin — serrulate. Both            upper and lower surfaces glabrous. Color — upper surface            varies from 2.5GY 7/6 to 2.5GY 6/6. Lower surface varies            from 2.5GY 6/8 to 2.5GY 6/6.        -   Stamens.—Average number per flower 28. On average, the            stamens are above the height of the petals. Average filament            length 9.6 mm. Filament color N 9.5/(white). Anther color            varies from 10YR 6/10 to 2.5Y 8/10.        -   Pollen.—Self sterile, pollinator required. Color varies from            2.5Y 8/12 to 5Y 7/10.        -   Pistil.—Number — normally 1. Average length 12.0 mm.            Position of stigma even with anthers. Surface — glabrous.            Color varies from 10Y 8/4 to 10Y 8/6.        -   Fragrance.—Heavy aroma.        -   Color.—N 9.5/(white).        -   Pedicel.—Average length 12.0 mm. Average width 0.4 mm. Color            varies from 5GY 7/8 to 5GY 6/8.        -   Number flowers per flower bud.—Average number 2, varies from            1 to 4.-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm ripe and ready for            consumption.        -   Date of first picking.—Jun. 30, 2017.        -   Date of last picking.—Jul. 10, 2017, varies slightly with            climatic conditions.        -   Size.—Large. Average diameter axially 65.6 mm. Average            transversely in suture plane 66.2 mm. Average weight 161.9            grams, varies slightly with fertility of the soil, amount of            thinning and climatic conditions.        -   Form.—Globose.        -   Suture.—Slightly lipped.        -   Ventral surface.—Slightly lipped.        -   Apex.—Very slightly. retuse.        -   Base.—Nearly flat to slightly retuse.        -   Stem cavity.—Rounded to slightly elongated in suture plane.            Average depth 2.8 mm. Average diameter 7.2 mm.-   Stem:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average length 13.9 mm. Average diameter 1.6            mm.        -   Color.—Varies from 10YR 4/6 to 10Y 6/8.-   Flesh:    -   -   Ripens.—Evenly.        -   Texture.—Firm, meaty.        -   Fibers.—Few, small, tender.        -   Firmness.—Firm, comparable to other commercial interspecific            varieties.        -   Aroma.—Slight aroma.        -   Amydgalin.—Undetected.        -   Eating quality.—Very good.        -   Flavor.—Very good, good balance between acid and sugar.        -   Juice.—Moderate amount, enhances flavor.        -   Acidity.—Not available.        -   Brix.—Average Brix 17.5°, varies slightly with amount of            fruit per tree and climatic conditions.        -   Color.—Varies from 2.5Y 8.5/8 to 2.5Y 8/8.        -   Pit cavity.—Average length 27.0 mm. Average width 20.0 mm.            Average depth 7.0 mm. Color varies from 10YR 7/8 to 2.5Y            8/8.-   Skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface.—Smooth to slightly waffled.        -   Bloom.—Moderate amount, complete coverage.        -   Tendency to crack.—Very slight.        -   Color.—Ground color varies from 10YR 9/2 to 10YR 8/4.            Overspread with 7.5R 2/2 to 5R 2/2.        -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to the flesh.        -   Astringency.—Undetected.-   Stone:    -   -   Type.—Freestone, weak adherence to flesh.        -   Size.—Medium. Average length 25.3 mm. Average width 18.5 mm.            Average thickness 10.2 mm.        -   Form.—Ovoid.        -   Base.—Flat.        -   Apex.—Pointed. Average length 2.5 mm.        -   Surface.—Slightly pitted throughout. One shallow groove on            each side of suture extending from base to apex.        -   Sides.—Unequal, one side extending further from suture            plane.        -   Ridges.—Small, extending from base toward apex.        -   Tendency to split.—Slight.        -   Color.—Varies from 10YR 7/6 to 10YR 6/8 when dry.-   Kernel:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average length 16.3 mm. Average width 10.7 mm.            Average depth 6.0 mm.        -   Form.—Ovate.        -   Viability.—Viable, complete embryo development.        -   Skin color.—Varies from 2.5Y 8/6 to 5Y 9/6.-   Use:    -   -   Dessert.—Market — local and long distance.-   Keeping quality: Good, held firm in cold storage for 3 weeks at 38°    to 42° F. without internal breakdown of flesh or appreciable loss of    eating quality.-   Shipping quality: Good, showed minimal skin scarring or flesh    bruising during picking, packing and shipping trials.-   Plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility: No specific testing    for relative plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility has been    designed. Under close observation during planting, growing and    harvesting of fruit, under normal cultural and growing conditions    near Modesto, Calif., no particular plant/fruit disease resistance    or susceptibility has been observed. Any variety observed during    indexing of plant characteristics with abnormal fungus, bacterial,    virus or insect susceptibility is destroyed and eliminated from our    breeding program. No atypical resistances/susceptibilities have been    noted under normal cultural practices. The present new variety of    interspecific tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit herein described    may vary in slight detail due to climate, soil conditions and    cultural practices under which the variety may be grown. The present    description is that of the variety grown under the ecological    conditions prevailing near Modesto, Calif.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of interspecifictree, substantially as illustrated and described.